Tipping Etiquette

[Aubrey 10]

I know I'm a few months late on this but I have to say as a Hairstylist, you should definitely tip 15% to 20%, we make less per hour then the person who brought your food and have less volume of customers per hour. If you feel that you and your stylist understand each other and they did everything in there power to create what you want or are working towards it and you feel great walking out, they deserve more then the $6 or $9 per hour we get.

I think 15% on a cut is fair at a "normal" hair cut place (Fantastic Sam's, Hair Masters, etc), unless you're asking for something special -- e.g. asking for their help choosing a cut, color, etc. or have especially difficult hair (long, difficult to comb). Then I think it's rude to tip less than 20-30%. At a more expensive salon, 10-15% is plenty because those folks get paid considerably more already.

[sachinky 465]

Tips are usually meant as a token reward, for going above and beyond the call of duty--so to speak--and providing extraordinary service.

I'm sorry waiters/bartenders/hairdressers get paid horrible wages, but I don't understand why I'm supposed to supplement their income. They presumably decided to go into that line of work and the burden to provide an adequate living wage should fall on their employers. NOT me.

Tipping based on percentages is also something that I don't understand. Presumably, the same work was done in bringing a $5 sandwich for lunch to my table and $40 steak for dinner. However, based on a 20% tipping base, I'd leave either $1 or $8. The waitress did the same thing in both cases--carry the food across to my table and set it down. It gets even more ridiculous when you order expensive drinks. Water is free, but you end up tipping a ridiculous amount for a bottle of wine. What did the server do? Popped the bottle open.

I do think I'd prefer a flat base depending on the place you're eating and the service received. For example, in India, I tip Rs.10-20 at a roadside place/take-out place, Rs. 50-100 at a medium restaurant, and Rs. 150-250 at a nicer place. Irrespective of the bill. Over here, I tip on service. Thankfully, the culture of tipping cab drivers, gas pumpers is non-existent. My mom tips her hairdresser, but that's only because she's been going there regularly for the last 10 years. When we go on vacations, some cash is usually slipped into the hands of housekeeping and room-service to ensure extra pillows, nicer sheets and towels, mineral water, better service.

When I'm in the U.S., I do not tip at buffets, on principle. I round up to the nearest digit of the bill. Once, a waitress had the gall to come back with the bill and told me the tip wasn't enough. If she thought she was going to embarass me into tipping her, she was wrong. I loudly explained to her, that I wasn't going to tip her since I got my food on my own and got up everytime I needed to refill my plate. I am not going to be bullied, brow-beaten, embarassed or made to feel cheap. Wrong tactics to try to make me give you money you don't deserve.

Most places charge exorbitant delivery charges, so I rarely tip delivery guys. One guy informed me that a $1 tip wasn't going to cover him driving uphill. Yeah, for like, two minutes. I'd have walked down myself, if it hadn't been freezing cold and I hadn't been sick. So I told him that I assumed that's what they charged the $5 for--delivering. Most of the time we pick up our own food and that way we save on the delivery charge. Our favorite take out place in college actually took $2 off the bill when we picked it up ourselves.

Hair cuts are also freakin' expensive. Most of the time, me and my friends cut each other's hair in college. $45 for a haircut is a little ridiculous when all I want are my ends trimmed.

I hate obligatory tipping so much, I'd rather cook and eat at home. I work hard for my money, and hey, maybe I'm just a cheap and broke recent college graduate. Maybe, when I'm rich and rolling in the bucks, I'll become more generous.

You can tell how strongly I feel about this considering the length of the post.

Edited January 4, 2010 by sachinky

[New Beginnings 32]

Tips are usually meant as a token reward, for going above and beyond the call of duty--so to speak--and providing extraordinary service.

I'm sorry waiters/bartenders/hairdressers get paid horrible wages, but I don't understand why I'm supposed to supplement their income. They presumably decided to go into that line of work and the burden to provide an adequate living wage should fall on their employers. NOT me.

Tipping based on percentages is also something that I don't understand. Presumably, the same work was done in bringing a $5 sandwich for lunch to my table and $40 steak for dinner. However, based on a 20% tipping base, I'd leave either $1 or $8. The waitress did the same thing in both cases--carry the food across to my table and set it down. It gets even more ridiculous when you order expensive drinks. Water is free, but you end up tipping a ridiculous amount for a bottle of wine. What did the server do? Popped the bottle open.

I do think I'd prefer a flat base depending on the place you're eating and the service received. For example, in India, I tip Rs.10-20 at a roadside place/take-out place, Rs. 50-100 at a medium restaurant, and Rs. 150-250 at a nicer place. Irrespective of the bill. Over here, I tip on service. Thankfully, the culture of tipping cab drivers, gas pumpers is non-existent. My mom tips her hairdresser, but that's only because she's been going there regularly for the last 10 years. When we go on vacations, some cash is usually slipped into the hands of housekeeping and room-service to ensure extra pillows, nicer sheets and towels, mineral water, better service.

When I'm in the U.S., I do not tip at buffets, on principle. I round up to the nearest digit of the bill. Once, a waitress had the gall to come back with the bill and told me the tip wasn't enough. If she thought she was going to embarass me into tipping her, she was wrong. I loudly explained to her, that I wasn't going to tip her since I got my food on my own and got up everytime I needed to refill my plate. I am not going to be bullied, brow-beaten, embarassed or made to feel cheap. Wrong tactics to try to make me give you money you don't deserve.

Most places charge exorbitant delivery charges, so I rarely tip delivery guys. One guy informed me that a $1 tip wasn't going to cover him driving uphill. Yeah, for like, two minutes. I'd have walked down myself, if it hadn't been freezing cold and I hadn't been sick. So I told him that I assumed that's what they charged the $5 for--delivering. Most of the time we pick up our own food and that way we save on the delivery charge. Our favorite take out place in college actually took $2 off the bill when we picked it up ourselves.

Hair cuts are also freakin' expensive. Most of the time, me and my friends cut each other's hair in college. $45 for a haircut is a little ridiculous when all I want are my ends trimmed.

I hate obligatory tipping so much, I'd rather cook and eat at home. I work hard for my money, and hey, maybe I'm just a cheap and broke recent college graduate. Maybe, when I'm rich and rolling in the bucks, I'll become more generous.

You can tell how strongly I feel about this considering the length of the post.

Agreed! A tip isn't meant to be relied on as part of their base wage. I also will only tip $1 to delivery people when there is already a delivery charge on the bill.

[FortLaudy 10]

Tipping in the U.S. is a jungle. When in doubt I will usually ask my husband. Here are some of the rules my husband and I follow (we are generous tippers - at least according to him).

Hairdresser/manicurist: 10% - 20%. $2 to the person doing the shampooing if it's not the hairdresser.

- Manicurist/pedicurist - $15 or more

- Hairdresser/stylist - $15 or more

Btw. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to once again read up on the tipping madness here. After 2 years I am still confused.

THANKS FOR THAT ONE, ALWAYS WONDERED HOW MUCH TO TIP THE SHAMPOO GIRL !

Edited January 4, 2010 by Shani682

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Very interesting. I am the UK citizen, my fiance is the US Citizen and we have very different views about this. I understand it is American culture to tip generously, but I am British and whilst I always reward people for excellent service in the UK, it is not a guaranteed extra, paid out every single time.

I work in customer service - I am a massage therapist at a high end hotel and the amount of tips we get are very low. I certainly dont expect a tip for every treatment or massage I do. I would say in my job in the UK, less than 10% of people tip us. In the US though, I believe its very different. Ive seen envelopes automatically being given to customers after a massage for the client to reward their therapist with a tip of 20%. No questions asked. I realise my opinions on this will have to soften a little once I permanantly move out there, but I dont think I will ever change my view entirely and tip everyone in sight like h2b does. To me a tip, regardless of wage is a reward for exceptional service only.

I hear the reason why service staff in the US rely so heavily on tips is because of the extremely low minimum wage that these people are paid. Well, in that case isnt it the governments responsibilty to ensure that these people are given a fair wage at least for their services, like the government has done in the UK?

Anyway back to the initial question,

in the US my fiance would probably pay 10-15% for a meal out somewhere,

we would give a couple of dollars for food delivery

and probably 10% for taxi fare.

I think for hair dressers etc, probably 10-15% is the norm.

Edited January 4, 2010 by RUSSandRACHEL

[Darnell 8,478]

I don't tip at the dry cleaners.

I don't tip at my hair cutting place, but I always bring a vat o steamed dumplings, which they devour immediately. But I go to the same place, these many years, they like my dumplings, i like the hair cut.

resturants, tip, unless you got really p|ss poor service.

McD, KFC, no tipping.

24 hour joints with waitresses, tip.

Good Luck !

[Mikkel 0]

I know I'm a few months late on this but I have to say as a Hairstylist, you should definitely tip 15% to 20%, we make less per hour then the person who brought your food and have less volume of customers per hour. If you feel that you and your stylist understand each other and they did everything in there power to create what you want or are working towards it and you feel great walking out, they deserve more then the $6 or $9 per hour we get.

Then how about asking for a raise?

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Then how about asking for a raise?

I agree. If anyone feels they do not deserve the wage you are being given, don't accept it then. There are so many service staff, waiters etc available... if there were none willing to do the job, the government would have to do something about the wage structure. But nothing will happen because so many people are willing to accept the low wages. Its not a persons right to a tip. Its a gift. And I'm in service too. But Im not accepting $2 an hour wages when I get to the US. Thats ridiculous!

[leith@Ievgeniia 8]

well i own few lounges and bistros. yes my girls live off of tips and there are time they add to table automatic, because some people do not ever tip. and i have no problem with this. they tell me and i approve it. so pay attention to your bill

the % depends on quality of service and quality of place you are in. and YES i have left the pinny on the table for crappy service.

it is quite nice to see so many generous people here tipping for paying for the service. of i pay $5.00 for pizza delivery. no i am not tipping!! pizza is cold to begend with!!! hahahah

keep in mind if you go to regular place all the time they know you learn what you like and look out for you with specials and promotions. and they do live off of tips.

most of the other tipping occurs on holiday.. for hotel and such...take care of your servers and bartenders. they take care of you and go the extra mile for there regular customers!!!

[Mikkel 0]

well i own few lounges and bistros. yes my girls live off of tips and there are time they add to table automatic, because some people do not ever tip. and i have no problem with this. they tell me and i approve it. so pay attention to your bill

How can you condone billing your customers amounts exceeding the advertised prices? That seems tantamount to fraud in my view.

[Dave and Helena 0]

there are time they add to table automatic, because some people do not ever tip. and i have no problem with this. they tell me and i approve it. so pay attention to your bill

I sure hope they tell people beforehand. I am fine with having the tip included at a restaurant if it is clearly stated on the menu but if someone just adds tip to my bill without notifying me in advance I'd be PISSED. I'd probably never go back there again and I would write about my experience online to warn others.

[SuperDuper! 230]

Just try to remember that you need to tip anyone that performs a service

Oh and don't forget Bartenders! I did that when I first moved here and got really bad watered down drinks the rest of the night

Yes, and here's how to do it. If you are going to hang out for the evening, and the place is packed, go right up to the bartender and hand him a $20, and say, "Keep it close."

I guarantee you, that you will get priority service, and "generous pour" drinks.

Cheers.

Edited January 5, 2010 by Hopp

[Marilyn. 340]

V1ZZWhSvOMI

Edited January 5, 2010 by Marilyn.

[Steve S 2]

I will give 15-20% to a waiter, 10-15% for a hair stylist or for spa services, a couple bucks for home delivery of food and a buck if I pick up from a restaurant. Beyond this, I avoid all tipping.

Buffets and cafeterias? I hate it when I am settling in to my meal in peace, and someone thrusts some additional paper napkins in front of me, saying "hi I'm _____ and I'll be your server.". No, you're not my server. I am. I carried my own food and drink. And I don't think I should tip for having my food bussed. If the restaurant doesn't provide a place for me to carry my used tray and silverware, that is not my fault. Now, I will sometimes leave a buck at the salad bar where I am a regular and the people working there (not "servers") are friendly.

Dry cleaning? No.

Hotels? Don't get me started. I hate how this succession of people trying to grab my bag and pass it from one person to the next, and opening different doors for me so that everyone expects a handout. Just leave me the --- alone and I will take care of my own bags and opening doors.

Valet parking? I hate it. I would rather walk 2 blocks in the cold than have this "service" of waiting in the queue for a high school kid to grind my gears and hold out his hand for a tip. And I will choose restaurants with adequate self parking that is free.

Cable guy? No way. I do not like the suggestion from one poster that I should be shaken down $20 for a level of customer service that should be expected, not extra.